Improvement in harvester-reels



-N'I'TED STATES PATENT FFICE.

Gr. W. YOST, OF OORRY, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO OOBRY MACHINE COMPANY, OF SAME PLAGE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARVESTER-REELS.

Specification forming part of' Letters Patent No. 78,711-, dated June 9, 1868.

tion.

Figure l represents a side elevation of :my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the same. Fig. 3 is aside view of the same when folded for transportation.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The object of this invention is to provide a reel which can be adjusted for straw of differ ent height, which shall not thrash the grain out while throwing it back, and which can be i easily folded for transportation.

The invention consists in the use of four, more or less, steel or other bars, fastened in any suitable manner around the reel-shaft, the fastening being around or through the middle of the bars, so that both ends fare free. The ends of each bar are bent out, so as to be about at right angles to the reel-shaft, and are connected by means of a iiexible strap or band, made vof leather fabric or other suitable inaterial. These bands form the operating parts of the reel, and as they are ilexible, they will be yielding, and will, even if the reel is revolved with great velocity, not thrash the grain, but will gently throw the same back over the cutter. The straps or bands can be moved 011 the springbars, so that they can be brought nearer to or farther from the reel-shaft, to adapt the device for longer or shorter straw. By taking of the straps or bands, which can be done with great facility, the ends of the steel bars will b e released, and will iiy against the shaft, so that the whole reel will occupy little more room than its shaft. It can consequently be conveniently packed for transportation.

A represents the reel-shaft. The same may used; but, if desired, the shaft may be left round, and may receive a sleeve of the required outer shape, or the springs may be directly attached to the round shaft. B B are steel or other spring-bars, of suitable cross-section, and of the required length. The springbars B are, at or near their middle, fastened to the shaft A, in any suitable desired manner, either by means of rivets, as in Fig. 2, or by means of a wire or other clasp. The ends of the springbars are left free, and are bent out, as shown in Fig. l, to be connected by means of flexible straps or bands C, which have loops at the ends, so that they can be easily fastened to the ends of the bars B, and may slide on the same. The bands G can thus be brought as far lfrom the shaft as may be desired. The whole reel is very light, and can be cheaply made. When it is to be packed the bands are taken oli', and the ends of the springs will y against the shaft, as indicated in.lig. 3, in which position it occupies the least possible room.

The springbars, instead of being fastened to the shaft near their centers, may be attached to the same with their ends, in which case double the number of spring-bars will be required, each strap being fastened to two spring-bars.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. Making the sweeps of harvester-reels of flexible bands or straps, substantially as herein shown and described. l

2. Making the arms by which the sweeps of a harvester-reel are connected with the shaft A of spring metal, so that they can be folded against the shaft when the sweeps are taken off, as set forth.

3. A harvester-reel, when composed of the shaft A, spring-bars B, and bands or straps O, the latter being adjustable on the bars B, and all made and operating substantially as herein shown and described.

e. w. N. Yosr.

Witnesses WM. F. MCNAMARA, ALEX. F. ROBERTS. 

